Enterprise Applications COE Director

Position Overview

This permanent full-time role, based in CityWest, Dublin, Ireland or Derby, UK, focuses on enterprise applications platform ownership distinct from ERP programme delivery. As the Centre of Excellence (CoE) Director for Uniphar, you will champion the consistent utilization of Microsoft Dynamics 365 and the broader enterprise applications portfolio throughout the organization. You will drive adoption and change management, maintain the continuous improvement backlog, and steer the long-term roadmap beyond the initial system deployment to transform enterprise applications into a strategic competitive capability for the Group.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and lead the Uniphar Enterprise Applications Centre of Excellence: design its operating framework, organize the team structure, and develop collaborative workflows.
• Recruit and nurture a skilled CoE team with expertise in functional, technical, and change management domains.
• Define operational relationships among the CoE, divisional IT leaders, and ERP programme teams to ensure clear accountability, escalation pathways, and smooth transitions from programmes to business-as-usual operations.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and shared knowledge across the enterprise applications community, emphasizing Microsoft Dynamics 365 proficiency.
• Formulate and uphold governance standards for enterprise applications including configuration protocols, change controls, release management, and platform oversight centered on Dynamics 365.
• Ensure consistent application standards across all Uniphar divisions, including new acquisitions, balancing rapid business agility with platform integrity.
• Lead governance forums presenting platform health, priorities, risks, and roadmap decisions to senior stakeholders.
• Drive adoption strategies focusing on training, enablement, communications, and organizational readiness for Microsoft Dynamics 365 and other enterprise applications.
• Develop and monitor metrics to assess platform value such as adoption rates, process efficiencies, data integrity, and business outcomes, supporting investment justifications.
• Manage the improvement backlog of Dynamics 365 enhancements, carefully evaluating business and technological needs.
• Oversee Microsoft Dynamics 365 release cycles by analyzing impacts of feature updates on configurations and business workflows.
• Collaborate with Group Technology Architecture to align platform evolution with the overall enterprise technology strategy.
• Explore and implement additional capabilities utilizing Power Platform, Copilot for Finance & Operations, and integrated analytics for enhanced business outcomes.
• Govern enterprise application data quality and master data standards ensuring accurate financial and operational reporting.
• Maintain Dynamics 365 as the authoritative source for core business processes and integrate it effectively with upstream and downstream systems.
• Coordinate with Group Data and Analytics to guarantee reliable, well-managed data for reporting and AI applications.
• Manage strategic partnerships with Microsoft regarding Dynamics 365 licensing, roadmap alignment, and support escalation.
• Supervise relationships with implementation partners and managed service providers supporting the enterprise applications landscape.
• Maximize value extraction from Microsoft licensing and support agreements leveraging group commercial arrangements.

Qualifications and Experience

• Over 12 years of professional experience in enterprise applications or ERP-related roles with a minimum of 5 years in senior leadership or platform ownership positions.
• Comprehensive practical knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations or Business Central including architecture, governance, and scalable continuous improvement.
• Expertise with Microsoft Power Platform integration and familiarity with D365 reporting and analytics tools.
• Proven leadership in establishing or running a Centre of Excellence or governance function within enterprise applications.
• Demonstrated success in facilitating enterprise application adoption and measurable value realization within complex, multi-entity, or multi-national environments.
• Experience collaborating with or overseeing major ERP implementation programmes with responsibility for post-go-live governance and adoption measures.
• Strong change management and senior stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• Knowledge of Azure DevOps for D365 Application Lifecycle Management (ALM), continuous integration and delivery pipelines, and release management procedures.
• Understanding of enterprise application data architecture, master data management, and integration middleware like Azure Integration Services, Logic Apps, and Dataverse.
• Familiar with broader enterprise applications such as CRM, HR/HCM, finance, Enterprise Performance Management (EPM), and service management platforms and their integration with ERP for seamless business processes.
• Degree in Information Technology, Business, Finance, or related disciplines. Microsoft Dynamics 365 certifications or similar professional qualifications are advantageous.

Company Background

Uniphar Group is a growing global healthcare services organization headquartered in Ireland. Since its 2019 IPO, Uniphar has expanded through organic growth and strategic acquisitions, serving markets in Ireland, the UK, Netherlands, Nordics, USA, and Australia. With a workforce exceeding 3,000 employees, Uniphar partners with over 200 globally recognized pharmaceutical and MedTech manufacturers, offering outsourced and specialized services supported by advanced digital technologies and expert teams. The company is structured into three main divisions: Supply Chain & Retail, Commercial & Clinical Med Tech/Pharma, and Product Access. Uniphar is committed to equal opportunity employment and welcomes all qualified applicants.